Chapter Thirty-Five #3
The evenings were my favourite part of the day.
After supper, the six of us sat around Freya’s cozy kitchen drinking tea, munching cookies, and playing card games.
Shamus played music on the record player, and we laughed, chatted, and sometimes Owen twirled me about the kitchen while Shae and Jace danced nearby.
Even Freya and Shamus took a turn. We bumped into each other and used the small space as an excuse to cozy up to our dance partners.
The others seemed happy to set aside the worries from the day and enjoy the evenings.
One night, however, once the supper cleanup was almost finished, Owen gave me a quick kiss and left the cottage. Shamus chuckled, Jace winked, and then they followed Owen out the door.
“What was that about?” I wondered, trying not to be too disappointed that games and dancing might not happen.
“Oh, you know men,” Freya said, smiling as she handed me a dish to dry. “Always up to something. Especially Owen. Seems to enjoy a plan, that one.”
“Oh, he does,” I muttered. “Too much sometimes.”
“His heart is in the right place. That’s all that matters.”
“I wish Jace had a plan,” Shae said, wiping the table.
I arched a brow at her. “What’s wrong? I thought you and Jace were doing well.”
“We are,” she answered, and then flopped down at the table with a sigh. “It’s nothing you need to worry about, Kira. Forget I said anything.”
It wasn’t like Shae to hold back. That made me more concerned.
“Well, now I need to know,” I said, joining her at the table. I placed my hand over hers. “You can talk to me.”
She smiled at me then scrunched up her face.
“It’s just that when Jace and I first met, it was all fun and flirting.
There was a spark at the gala, but then…
well, you know how that turned out. Ever since we arrived here, we’ve been dancing around each other.
Nothing more than a few almost kisses here and there, and no talk of anything else.
It’s probably just that he’s tired or worried, but… ”
“But?”
“I don’t remember a lot from that night by the river. I was unconscious for most of it. Thankfully.”
I nodded.
“But I think Jace might be dealing with some trauma related to that night, and I don’t know how to talk to him about it. I mean, shit. I should probably talk to a professional as well, but at this point, who doesn’t need therapy?” She forced a laugh.
“Shae, I am so sorry. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own healing that I didn’t even think about you and Jace.” I gripped her hand. Shae and Jace had always seemed so carefree. It was easy to forget they might be hiding their traumas under their laughter and smiles. I felt like a horrible friend.
“Kira, no. It’s not your fault. You literally died.
You had more healing to do than the rest of us.
But you have Owen, and I am so freaking jealous at the love that you two share.
” She quickly added, “I’m happy for you—” I nodded so she knew I understood.
“—but I would love to have that with Jace, too. I know he doesn’t believe in long-term commitments, and I was okay with that at first. At least, I thought I was.
But I would love to be that special person he could really talk to.
I’m no longer happy keeping our relationship casual.
Not after everything that’s happened. Anyway, it’s silly. ”
“It’s not,” I assured her. “Not at all. Why don’t you talk to him? Tell him everything you just told me?”
“I tried once,” she whispered, and my heart ached to see my usually happy friend so down.
“But he changed the subject. It was clear he wasn’t interested.
Kira… Kira, I may go back into the outside world.
Not that I’m abandoning you. Please don’t ever think that.
I’ll come back for the battle. I just need a little space. I hope you understand.”
“Of course, I understand. I don’t want you to leave, and I’ll miss you—” My voice cracked, and Shae tightened her grip on my hand. “—but of course I understand. Promise me one thing though, okay?”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t do anything rash tonight. Sleep on it, and we’ll talk again in the morning. Figure out a plan. Together. Can you do that?”
“Oh, I’m not going anywhere tonight, girlfriend,” she said, a twinkle returning to her eyes as she shared a conspiratorial smile with Freya, “’cause I want to hear all the dirty details tomorrow.”
I was so relieved to see Shae smiling that it took me a moment to process what she had said.
“What?”
“I think the men have set things up by now. What do you think, Shae?” Freya asked, hanging her tea towel neatly over the oven door.
“Yep, should be almost time for your special night. Owen said something about your own room?”
Both women smiled at me.
I gasped and stood up, excitement and nerves coursing through me. But I sat back down just as suddenly.
“Wait…was that conversation meant as a diversion or are you really considering leaving?”
“I am. Thank you for listening but tonight is about you. I won’t go anywhere. I promise,” Shae reassured me.
“Thank you!” I squealed and rushed around the table to hug both women.
Shae laughed. “Go get ready! Don’t keep him waiting! He’s been irritating as hell to live with! If I have to listen to one more sigh from that man…”
I didn’t hear the rest of her sentence because I was too busy rushing up the stairs to my room to get changed. I burst through the door to find candles leading to the bed, where a rose and a note lay across a dark green negligee.
Meet me at the end of the lighted path.
Love,
Your Mystery Man